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Movies / On DVD / A Midnight Clear
A Midnight Clear

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A Midnight Clear (1992)

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Reviews Counted:24

Fresh:20

Rotten:4

Average Rating:7.4/10

Consensus: Beautifully filmed and wonderfully acted, A Midnight Clear is a holiday war film in search of a wider audience.

Runtime: 1 hr 47 mins

Genre: Action/Adventure

Synopsis: In 1944, a six-man American intelligence and reconnaissance unit is sent by their reckless major on a mission in a remote part of the Ardennes forest on the German front. Isolated in a remote villa... In 1944, a six-man American intelligence and reconnaissance unit is sent by their reckless major on a mission in a remote part of the Ardennes forest on the German front. Isolated in a remote villa in the dead of winter, they wind up developing a cryptic relationship with a small band of German soldiers nearby who've all but given up on the war effort. The disillusioned soldiers come face-to-face with one another in a beautifully filmed series of events, sharing Christmas carols, snowball fights, and a mutual desire to stay alive. Ethan Hawke stars as Will Knot, the young leader of the American unit who agrees to fake a battle with the German soldiers, who want to surrender peaceably but save their reputation. The cast includes Gary Sinise, Peter Berg, Kevin Dillon, Arye Gross, and Frank Whaley as Will's fellow recon officers. Against the hauntingly beautiful landscape of the Alpine tundra, the young men must face their darkest fears while trying to escape the horrors of war. This powerful and quietly stylish ensemble drama features lyrically beautiful voice-overs delivered by Hawke as he questions the validity of war and his spiritual place in the world. The film is based on the autobiographical novel by William Wharton. [More]

Starring: Peter Berg, Kevin Dillon, Arye Gross, Ethan Hawke

Starring: Peter Berg, Kevin Dillon, Arye Gross, Ethan Hawke, Gary Sinise, Frank Whaley, Larry Joshua, Curt Lowens

Director: Keith Gordon

Director: Keith Gordon
Story: William Wharton
Producer: Keith Gordon
Composer: Mark Isham

[See More Credits]

Reviews for A Midnight Clear

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

This skilful adaptation of William Wharton's novel creates close relationships between each character. Strong performances and precise direction help maintain them to the surprise ending.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
12/05/08
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The performances are uniformly excellent as the film moves inexorably towards bloody confrontation and spiritual reckoning.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/09/06
Derek Adams
Derek Adams
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The pristine, snowbound setting gives the film a still, other-worldly quality, and makes for some arresting images, particularly that of a German and an American corpse frozen in a posthumous embrace.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
12/04/06
TV Guide's Movie Guide
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

No review available.

comment Comment
10/21/05
Chuck O'Leary
Chuck O'Leary
Fantastica Daily

An all-star cast makes it wholly worthwhile.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
07/18/05
Christopher Null
Christopher Null
Filmcritic.com

No review available.

comment Comment
03/03/05
Philip Martin
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

No review available.

comment Comment
12/11/04
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

comment Comment
07/02/04
Daniel M. Kimmel
Daniel M. Kimmel
Worcester Telegram & Gazette

No review available.

comment Comment
02/20/04
Carol Cling
Carol Cling
Las Vegas Review-Journal

In A Midnight Clear, just about everything works.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment 1 Comment
05/20/03
Vincent Canby
Vincent Canby
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

No review available.

comment Comment
03/27/03
Jeffrey Westhoff
Jeffrey Westhoff
Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

No review available.

comment Comment
03/07/03
Mike McGranaghan
Mike McGranaghan
Aisle Seat

No review available.

comment Comment
10/03/02
Rob Vaux
Rob Vaux
Flipside Movie Emporium

One of the most underrated films of the '90s

comment Comment
09/20/02
Jon Niccum
Jon Niccum
Lawrence Journal-World

No review available.

comment Comment
07/31/02
Rob Blackwelder
Rob Blackwelder
SPLICEDWire

One of the best war movies you've (probably) never seen.

comment Comment
07/26/02
Scott Weinberg
Scott Weinberg
eFilmCritic.com

Delves into the strain of war on the human spirit and our dependency upon community in the face of senseless death.

Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
06/29/02
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice

While the antiwar message is familiar, it gains power from the deeply felt performances.

Full Review Source: Movieline | comment Comment
01/09/02
Stephen Farber
Stephen Farber
Movieline

The performances are uniformly good by a number of familiar young actors and the atmosphere is exceptional, conveying the chilling essence of the unknown that soldiers in combat face, as well as the climactic cold in this case.

Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
01/01/00
Chris Hicks
Chris Hicks
Deseret News, Salt Lake City

A Midnight Clear tells a wartime yarn that's quietly, often lyrically, winning.

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
01/01/00
Desson Thomson
Desson Thomson
Washington Post
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
all

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December 19, 2006: RT's Top Seasonal Dramas -- Christmas Countdown, Day Two
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